Episodes

  • "The Good Stuff" - Episode 45: Zialena Winery
    Jul 27 2024

    In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Mark Mazzoni, Founder/Co-Owner, Winemaker, and Vineyard Manager of Zialena Winery. Mark's family has deep roots in Sonoma County: Giuseppe Mazzoni planted vineyards here in 1905. A traveling salesman asked to put up a billboard on the side of the family's barn, and you can still see the ad for "Dr. Pierce" on the side of the building. Mark learned about farming and taking care of grapes by working with his grandfather, and in 2012 he worked with his sister Lisa to co-found the current winery. Mark believes in hospitality and transparency - inviting visitors to drop by any time to experience Zialena, a winery with no gate to keep people out. Mark also likes to use concrete fermentation tanks, which give the finished wines a closer connection to the place they are made. Those visiting the winery can experience the beauty of the surroundings and experience the terroir in the glass. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

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    40 mins
  • "The Good Stuff" - Episode 44: Jennifer Beretta, 4th Generation Dairy Farmer
    Jul 20 2024

    In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Jennifer Beretta, 4th generation dairy farmer. Jennifer is passionate about agriculture and maintaining the industry for generations to come. She is a board member of the California Cattle Council, and current member of the American Farm Bureau Leadership Class (PALS - Partners in Advocacy Leadership.) Her experience during the PALS program has given her insight into the common threads in all ag industries, and an understanding of the importance of advocating for the family farmer as farming operations get bigger across the country. You can learn more about agriculture in Sonoma County by attending the Sonoma County Farm Fest on Sunday, July 21st at Olympia's Valley Estate in Petaluma. Click here to learn more and RSVP for the event. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

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    40 mins
  • "The Good Stuff" - Episode 43: Drink The Good Stuff, SF Giants, Bucher Wines
    Jul 13 2024

    On this special episode of "The Good Stuff" with host Virginie Boone and co-host Karissa Kruse, we are excited to re-run our very first episode! Virginie and Karissa delve into why it's important to always drink "The Good Stuff" in life and discuss Sonoma County Winegrowers' recent partnership with the San Francisco Giants at their Cloud Club suite. Guests John and Diane Bucher share their Cloud Club experience, and Master Sommelier for the Giants, Evan Goldstein, offers his perspective on wine and baseball, along with a few ballpark food pairings. Don't miss this nostalgic and informative episode!

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    40 mins
  • "The Good Stuff" - Episode 42: Gary Farrell Vineyards And Winery
    Jul 6 2024

    In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Stephanie Wycoff, General Manager of Gary Farrell Vineyards and Winery. Stephanie shares her story and prior experience in sales, marketing, and operations that paved the way to her current position, including working direct to consumer and experience in management at Seghesio Family Vineyards. She earned her Business MBA through SSU's Wine Business Institute. Stephanie says that the Russian River Valley is so important to the Gary Farrell story. They also dive deeper into the AVA with the concept of Neighborhoods. Stephanie knows that the best tasting rooms connect wine to you and your social life, so they are always trying to enhance the customer experience with fun and innovative ideas. The next time you visit, try a flight, glass or bottle at The Overlook, another way to experience Gary Farrell wines. And don't miss winery cat Benny! And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

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    40 mins
  • "The Good Stuff" - Episode 41: Robert Young Estate Winery
    Jun 29 2024

    In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Dan Rotlisberger, Vineyard Estate Manager for Robert Young Estate Winery. Dan is a fifth generation Alexander Valley farmer and board member for Sonoma County Winegrowers. Dan is also the great grandnephew of Robert Young's late wife Gertrude. He learned how to be a farmer from his grandfather, who Dan says was one of the hardest workers he ever knew. Prior to his role at Robert Young, Dan worked as a Senior Viticulturist at Redwood Empire Vineyard Management - a job he liked to call Vineyard University, because he dealt with all kinds of varietals and learned all aspects of vineyard management. At Robert Young he has helped to replant older blocks, and has made a commitment to sustainability, especially knowing that the decisions he makes will impact generations. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

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    40 mins
  • "The Good Stuff" - Episode 40: Papapietro Perry
    Jun 22 2024

    In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Ben and Yolanda Papapietro of Papapietro Perry Winery. Ben and Yolanda talk about their interest in wine and how it went from hobby winemaking in their garage to becoming serious home winemakers in San Francisco, to their eventual partnership with Bruce and Renae Perry and a move to Sonoma County. Each step along the way deepened their appreciation for getting the best fruit and making the best wine possible with it. And now their avid club members share in this passion for great wine by going on cruises to wine regions around the world, always with a love for the amazing wines made by Ben. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

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    40 mins
  • "The Good Stuff" - Episode 39: Sangiacomo Family Wines
    Jun 15 2024

    In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with brothers Steve and Mike Sangiacomo, third generation winegrowers and partners at Sangiacomo Family Wines. Steve and Mike share the story of their grandfather's journey to Sonoma County from Genoa, Italy and how the family farmed their land over the years, eventually moving to grape growing in 1969. They started Sangiacomo Family Wines in 2016, focusing on the expression of the land in each bottle of wine. When you book a tasting, you get a chance to visit the vineyard and see the through line from grape to glass. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

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    40 mins
  • "The Good Stuff" - Episode 38: Sommelier Experience
    Jun 8 2024

    In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Rachel Thralls, Sommelier and Wine Educator for Sonoma County Winegrowers, and Wanda Cole-Nicholson, Advanced Sommelier and 3rd year returning sommelier for the Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience. These talented women chat about the role of sommeliers in communicating all aspects of a wine to their audience, be it customers at a restaurant, television viewers, or fellow somms. Wanda talks about her experience in various roles as a sommelier and her love for learning more about wine. They also chat about their experiences meeting grape growers at the Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience and how vital that is to get a full picture of the terroir of Sonoma County and its multiple AVAs. Rachel and Wanda talk about pairing lesser known varietals with sweet and savory snack foods, as well as a lightning pairing challenge round with Virginie and Karissa. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

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    40 mins